Would flying be an option? It might be close to the same price as fuel but you'd save some time, which would be less hotels and meals. Frontier Airlines allows guinea pigs in the cabin, they fly from Dallas to LAX and their fare look pretty reasonable.

Air travel won't allow more then one pet so that is out as a option now :-)
There won't be any hotels and I plan to bring my plug in cooler stocked full of drinks and stuff to munch on. One good sleep before I leave and crash few hours at our old place in Corona (old roommate still lives there), then pick up and head back.

That is wonderful Waddles! It is always nice to hear. And thank you for the compliments!!